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Unclogging a Sink Drain

OVERVIEW

Introduction

The most common sink clogs occur in bathrooms. Kitchen sinks and utility sinks generally do not clog because of the hot water that surges through them from the dishwasher and washing machine. On the other hand, bathroom sinks are exposed to an abundance of hair, soap and other greasy products that can slow down or stop a drain.

The best way to unclog a drain is mechanically rather than chemically. Most chemical treatments can handle minor clogs in the trap area, but are not very effective in the horizontal line just beyond the trap. The more caustic chemicals are hazardous to use and can even damage your pipes. Whenever possible, try to employ mechanical measures.

Unclogging a sink takes a few basic tools and can save you the expense of calling in a plumber. However, know when to say "when." If you are too aggressive in your efforts to clear the clog, you may end up damaging the pipes and creating an even bigger problem.

Following the steps below may help you prevent clogs or eliminate them. The steps are organized from simple to complex. If you are unsuccessful, then you can call a plumber.

BEFORE You Start...

Skill Level & Time to Complete


Beginner - 1 to 2 hours


Intermediate - 45 to 90 minutes

 Advanced - 30 to 60 minutes

- Caustic drain cleaners seldom dissolve tough clogs. They can actually become a hindrance if the clog remains and you need to bail out the sink before trying alternative methods to clear your drain.

- Preventive measures are the best alternatives. Before you find yourself in a "clogged" situation, be sure to flush out your pipes weekly with hot tap water.

SHOPPING LIST

Materials List

None

Tools List

Plunger

2 pipe wrenches

Channel lock pliers

Drain auger

Bucket

Rags

1.

The first thing you should try is a little preventive maintenance. Unlike the kitchen and utility sinks which both get purged clean by hot water, your bathroom sink needs a good flushing now and then. Once a month, boil a few gallons of water and carefully pour it down the sink. Boiled water is significantly hotter than tap water and it will help dissolve soapy, greasy materials that are coating the walls of your pipes.

2.

Once a clog has formed, preventive measures will not work. It is time to get out the plunger. Partially fill the sink with water to cover the plunger head. If you have a double sink or an overflow opening, stuff a wet rag into the second drain or opening. This will focus the plunging pressure on the clog.

Now plunge up and down vigorously, keeping the plunger sealed against the bottom of the sink. If you do not feel the water swishing back and forth or enough resistance, then air may be escaping through the second drain or overflow opening. Have a helper hold the wet rag firmly in place.

Once you have broken the clog loose, run hot water through the drain to flush out the debris.

3.

If the clog is too stubborn for the plunger, it is time to try the drain auger. Generally you have two choices when using the auger. You can go in through the drain, or you can remove the trap and go into the horizontal drain line. Use your judgment based on where you think the clog is located.

You can remove the trap using large channel locks or a pipe wrench. Wrap a rag around the area you are clamping onto. This will prevent the teeth of the tool from marring the pipe surface. Remove the two nuts that hold the trap. You need direct access into the horizontal stretch of pipe. Be sure to put a bucket under the trap to catch the water contained in the trap.

4.

The most suitable auger is a coiled cable that wraps inside a housing. The housing should have a handle and a crank on it for spinning the cable inside the drain. Using a sensitive touch, feed the cable into the drain or horizontal pipe. When you feel some resistance, you are probably up against your clog.

Pull an extra 18 inches of cable out of the housing, tighten the setscrew securing the cable, and turn the crank on the auger, applying moderate force so that you push the cable into the drain or pipe. When the free cable has worked its way into the pipe, loosen the setscrew and pull out another 18” (45 cm). Continue this procedure until the cable has reached the larger vertical pipe. Pull the cable back out, cleaning it and feeding it back into the housing as you go.

If you removed the trap, replace it now. The nuts holding the drain in place should be put on hand tight and then turned about a quarter turn with the wrench or channel locks. Do not over tighten.

Once the trap is replaced, run hot water through the drain to flush it out. If water backs up, there may still be some loose debris in the line left behind by the auger. Try plunging to get rid of this debris. Again, flush the drain with hot water.